A/N: We need to have a talk about Pegasus. So firstly, his name is spelled Maximillion instead of the traditional Maximillian and I had no idea. Second, he's only 8 years older than the main cast (Yugi, Tea, Joey, Tristian, Bakura, Seto, and Duke). At the beginning of the series, they're 16 and he's 24. And my tiny little brain is blown. I just thought he was well preserved. That means, if they're all 26 as they are in this story, he'd only be 34. With this new discovery, I plan to rectify his physical description and some of the dialogue in the previous chapters, and it opens up a lot of plot possibilities for me.
Also: I had issues with this chapter. I am so sorry it is so long. I wanted to make a reunion worthwhile, but I feel like I'm honestly wasting everyone's time with my own drivel. I promise the next chapter will be posted in a timely manner and contain much better paced content.
"You don't have to come to the station," Detective Wheeler backtracked on his previous statement. He smiled with an enthusiasm Sabrina could hardly understand "I'd still like to ask you four a few questions."
Mokuba stepped aside to clear the door. "Sure, anything we can do to help."
Joey had to turn sideways to get through the doorway as Seto refused to make room for him, staring down the detective as he brushed past. Once through the Kaiba gauntlet, he was free to pull Yugi into a bear hug. "I can't believe it!" he said as Yugi returned his embrace. "What are you doing here?"
"KaibaCorp hired me on as a Duel Monsters expert for a new project." Yugi laughed with delight. "That's why we were at Pegasus' mansion earlier taking pictures."
"And any information beyond that is proprietary to KaibaCorp." Seto crossed his arms.
"How about you let me do my job and I'll let you get back to yours?" Joey's demeanor darkened as he quipped at his old antagonist.
"I'm sure we can answer any questions he has to ask," Mokuba said, beckoning Sabrina into his room with one hand and herding the men further in with the other.
Everyone sat except Kaiba, who was clearly trying to establish himself as alpha, though Sabrina could hardly guess why and was still confused by the earlier scene in the hallway. "Care to explain what all this is?" she asked Mokuba.
The lawyer replied by pointing at the detective. "That is Joey Wheeler, Brooklyn native, runner up for Duelist Kingdom." He pointed at Yugi. "Yugi is his best friend," he pointed to Seto with the other hand, "Kaiba is his fremesis, and I'm an impartial acquaintance," he ended pointing to himself with his thumb.
"Ah." Sabrina said, squinting deep in though.
Detective Wheeler asked the four of them his list of routine questions, establishing their alibis and a timeline. When he finished, he gave them the basic overview of the crime, notably that the break-in had occurred less than twenty minutes after they left the estate.
"And was anything taken?"
The detective responded by defiantly folding his arms in retrubition. "There was a break-in. Any information beyond that is proprietary to the NYPD."
Kaiba let out a disgruntled snort and turned away.
"If you're done with business questions," Yugi blurted, "How have you and Tea been?"
"Why don't you come home with me and find out?" Joey smiled. "I'm sure she would consider this a welcomed surprise." Both blonds looked at Kaiba as if silently asking for permission and expecting him to deny them.
"I'm not going tell you you can't go. You're not a child," the mogul shrugged, "As long as you're back by the time we leave for the airport, go ahead."
The detective slapped Yugi on the knee and the both of them stood excitedly, already chatting about their evening plans and how they thought Mrs. Wheeler would react, leaving the three remaining occupants of the room in shocked silence as the door clicked shut, leaving them alone.
"So…" Mokuba dragged out the 'o', "You still want to go see Times Square?"
"Umm…sure." Sabrina responded, still trying to process the last half hour. "Let me go grab my purse."
"Guess I'll have some quiet time to work," Seto mused has he headed back toward the adjoining door.
"You know, as proficient as you think you are with businessman, I've saved you from a lot of PR disasters." Mokuba chided.
"Like Wheeler?" his brother scoffed.
"Like an NYPD detective, Seto," Mokuba rolled his eyes in frustration. "It would probably make a better impression on your princess here." He nodded in the direction of Sabrina's room. "Speaking of, are you coming with us?" As if presuming his suggestion would really affect his desire to go.
"No." he replied flatly. "I have work to do." He disappeared into his own room, sitting behind his laptop.
"He pulled out his cell phone and texted Yugi:
See if Wheeler knows any more about the break-in. Coliseum might be in on this.
After replying to a few emails, his phone lit up with a reply.
You know he can't share details of the case. He could lose his job :(
Kaiba's lip curled into a scowl as he responded.
I thought you believed in destiny. What are the odds that Wheeler would get put on this case?
He set the phone down but it lit up again before he could resume working. It was a picture of Mokuba and Sabrina with cart-purchased hotdogs in one hand while the other pointed to the KaibaCorp logo beneath one of the jumbo trons in Time's Square. The caption read: Mixing business and pleasure. Glad you're not here to ruin the fun. Seto didn't even dignify his younger brother with a response. A few minutes later, Yugi responded with another text.
If I press him for more information, I'll have to tell him about Kisara and Coliseum, but you are right. If someone knew how to use those relics Pegasus had we could be in for some serious opposition.
Kaiba pursed his lips, internally conflicted. Kisara was none of Joey Wheeler's business, but if the situation was going to turn into another Egypt fiasco, they needed all the information and allies they could get, and having someone involved in law enforcement might be a good connection to have. At least he wouldn't have to deal with Wheeler directly, he had Yugi as a buffer to protect him from the Brooklyn dunce. He thumbed a quick reply.
Share what you have to; get what you can.
"Kaiba bossing you around during your down time?" Joey asked. This was the third time Yugi's phone had chimed in the short car ride between the hotel and the precinct.
"Well, he is my boss," Yugi said, trying to shrug it off.
"Yeah…so KaibaCorp has something new in the works?"
"VR related stuff. He's going to try and make Duel Monsters even more immersive," Yugi tried to remain vague.
"Cool." Was Joey's responsle. He pulled into the parking lot of the precinct. "Wait here," he instructed, "I'm gonna go report in and clock out for the night." He left the keys in the ignition and passed through the glass entry doors.
Yugi waited until he was out of sight to text Kaiba one last time.
Will try to be discreet w/ Sabina and Project DD.
Knowing calling the project DD would irritate him, he smiled and treturned the phone to his pocket in time to see Joey re-emerge from the brick building and take his place behind the steering wheel.
"Let's get outta here!" he remarked as he threw the car in reverse. He guided the car onto the packed streets of the city maneuvering, honking and shouting with the best of traffic. Yugi gripped the armrest as the Brooklyn native slammed on the breaks calling the taxi that had cut him off a myriad of unsavory names and applying the horn liberally.
"I thought New Yorkers only drove like this in the movies," Yugi breathed trying to get his heartbeat back to normal.
"Eh, life imitates art," Detective Wheeler shrugged, jumping lanes without using his blinker. "Now tell me, how'd you land a job with Mr. Moneybags?" he asked to make conversation.
Yugi returned the nonchalant shrug. "Kaiba doesn't duel anymore but since I own the game shp, I know more about the game so he took me on as a SME."
"How's the old game shop anyway?" Joey smiled, reminiscing the good times he had in high school.
"Same as always. I break even and nothing else."
"Well, maybe it's good that you got out of the shop for a bit and got a bit of fresh air."
"Most definitely," Yugi agreed, "We are actually supposed to be on a research trip to Egypt right now. I got to see Ishizu and even got to visit Atem's tomb. It was nice."
"Wow, Egypt to New York, collaborating with KaibaCorp and Industrial Illusions, you are getting to go on quite the adventure. Just like old times," Joey commented.
"Not exactly like old times," Yugi corrected him. "It will never be as adventurous without you, Tea and Tristan."
Joey pulled into the driveway of an old and narrow townhouse. "I do miss high school and all the fun," he admitted, "but I wouldn't trade it for the family life. Let's go see what casserole Tea's got cooking tonight." Once out of the car, Joey led the way up the steep concrete steps to the front door which he unlocked and entered first, removing his shoes in the tiny tiled entryway. Yugi followed suite, continuing in his socks only.
"Babe! I'm hone!" he called down the hallway. "And I brought you a surprise!"
"Is it small enough for you to bring me? I'm kinda doin' somethin'" Tea's voice came out of the kitchen. In the four years since they'd been married, she'd picked up just a twinge of that New Yorker accent.
Joe beckoned Yugi to follow him yet again past an open dining area into the kitchen. Tea was in front of the stove, stirring the contents of a saucepan vigorously, her back ot them. Joey put his hands on her shoulders and kissed her temple. "Everything ok?"
Tea nodded, completely unaware the room had a third occupant. "Yeah, I just can't let this gravy get lumpy." She returned the kiss. "So, what's the surprise?"
Joey jerked a thumb behind. Tea looked over her shoulder, locking eyes with Yugi. He smiled and waved. A smile spread across her face and her eyes lit up with sheer joy.
"Yugi!" she squealed, almost dropping the pan. She shoved the handle at her husband had pushed the whisk into his hand. "Here, stir this," she ordered. She crossed the tiny kitchen and the old friends shared an embrace. She looked almost the same as she did when he saw her last: her hair was longer, tied in a pony tail and she had filled out a little but married life had a way of doing that.
And she was pregnant.
Not prominently so, but the baby bump was visible when she turned sideways.
"How are you even here? In the states?" she giggled.
"Business trip," he laughed with her. "We leave tomorrow, but Joey and I ran into each other by chance."
She directed both the men to sit at the small oak table against the wall, reclaiming the gravy pan from her husband."
"So, when were you going to tell me?" Yugi asked the father-to-be.
"Joey stared in befuddlement. "About what?"
A pair of potholders came sailing at his face. The first hit him square in the nose, the second he caught before it could hit its mark. "The baby, you nimrod!" Yes. Tea had definitely picked up on the local vernacular.
"Oh yeah!" Joey exclaimed in genuine surprise. "We've known for a little while but we wanted to wait until we knew the gender to tell everyone. So you can't tell Tristan and Serenity you knew before them."
"My lips are sealed," Yugi promised. "When do you find out?"
"Two more weeks," Tea said over her shoulder as she poured the gravy into a boat, which she set on the table. The shepherd's pie from the oven was next, followed by green beans. "It's not much, but it's all your getting," she announced as she handed out foam plates. "I also don't feel like doing more dishes than I need." Solo cups were found and set out afterwards, Yugi under orders to 'help himself' to whatever was available in the refrigerator.
The food was somehow better than anything Yugi had eaten at the five-star hotel or any of the local Egyptian food he'd had over the past week. Joey clearly agreed as neither spoke during the meal time, instead enjoying the food.
Just as the trio was clearing the table, Joey's phone rang. His eyebrows furrowed as he saw his boss' phone number appear on the caller ID.
"It's work, I got to take this," he excused himself.
Yugi took it upon himself to help load the dishwasher as Tea was clearly struggling with the bottom drawer.
"Sorry," she apologized, "Sometimes, I am fine doing things and other times the baby just says 'nope'."
"I suppose this has put a damper on your dancing career," Yugi noted, pulling up the door of the dishwasher.
Tea leaned against the counter. "At first it did bother me, because I know my body will never be the same and it's hard to get back into the professional circuit after you're old, but I would much rather be a good mom than be a good dancer. I guess that's part of being an adult."
"Sometimes being an adult sucks," Yugi admitted.
"True, but sometimes being an adult means being wise enough to find happiness in all the little things we took for granted as children."
Joey re-entered the kitchen in a much fouler mood than when he left. His eye seethed in frustration, seemingly directed at his cell phone. Tea and Yugi exchanged glances before Tea finally broke the silence.
"You look upset."
"Yeah, the chief took me off the Pegasus home invasion." he spat. "The case is being turned over to the organized crime unit."
"Organized crime?" Yugi inquired.
"Pegasus, like Maximillion Pegasus? He got robbed?" Tea asked.
"Apparently, it has all the hallmarks of a house knocked over by the Irish mafia." He pressed his lips together in frustration, gripping his phone tighter.
"Hold it," Tea held up her hand to bar him from speaking further. She looked at Yugi, "Is that your business here? Is that how you two ran into each other?"
"Yes and no," Yugi answered.
"This is going to take a bit to explain, why don't we take this out to the living room?" Joey suggested.
The small living room contained a couch and an armchair. Yugi was granted the armchair sitting at a right angle to the couch, occupied by both Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler. Joey and Yugi took turns explaining their day while Tea listened.
"Wow, blast from the past," she commented when they had finished. "But now you're not even on the case anymore? Why would the mafia be after Pegasus though? I figured he'd make enough money he could make any deal legally."
"Right now, we have no reason to believe he was working with them," Joey replied leaning on his elbows as he spoke.
"So he was robbed?" Yugi asked, hoping he would be as free with his information as he was with his wife.
"The detective rubbed his face, "Yug," he exhaled. He was a good detective and it bothered him to be ethically compromised.
"Listen, I didn't want to tell you this earlier because I didn't want you to get dragged into this but we aren't just working on a new VR project." Yugi decided it was time to lay a few cards on the table. "There's an organization, Coliseum, that tried to keep our team out of Egypt and they tried hacking into Pegasus' servers for information on Egypt. Our meeting this afternoon was to exchange secure information he'd uncovered about the shadow games and the millennium items. Both parties wanted a secure exchange so we disguised it as part of Project Dawn's research trip. They know where to look, but we don't even know what they're looking for."
"Coliseum," Joey repeated, "Our organized crime unit has dealt with them before. Six months bac they were allegedly hosting fight clubs in dive bars all over the eastern seaboard. A mob connection isn't much of a surprise. But dabbling in dark magic and shadow games? That can't be good."
"We're going to stop them," Yugi promised. "The power the shadow games unleased cannot be unleased on our world again, not after Atem worked so hard to seal it away."
"How can we help?" Tea asked gravely, taking her husband's hand.
"First, by telling me if anything was taken from Pegasus. Files, artifacts, photographs: if we know what they're after we can stay a step ahead."
Joey sighed, rubbing his face again. After a brief moment, he confessed. "Everything in the glass cases. Four stone tables, a flute, and some burial headdress or headband or something."
"Just the objects?" Yugi wanted to make sure.
"Yeah. It looks like they tried to get to everything, but weren't counting on reinforced glass cases or the level of security of his archive room, so they just took what they could and got out. Everything was smashed up, but they couldn't get past the door into his private room with his archaeological records or behind the glass to get to that big blue eyes carving."
Yugi frowned, displeased. IT seemed so non-sequitur with what Coliseum had been searching for previously.
"To be honest, it was one of the most botched professional jobs I've ever seen," Joey continued. "Perfectly timed when most of the staff would be distracted by the dinner preparations. Five muscular guys in masks and non-descript clothing, got in using a lockpick gun, but once they got inside it was like they had no idea what to expect aside from what they were supposed to steal. They had no idea where the cameras were, that the alarm system would go off; the magnetized door on the archive room. It was rushed, and ill planned."
"I can't believe this," Tea leaned back into the couch. "Ten years of peace and now you and Kaiba are getting sucked back into the same crazy, ancient Egyptian, shadow game, secret plots to overthrow the world as we know it again?"
"Apparently it's all I'm good for." Yugi's shoulder sagged.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Tea said, shifting her head back to focusing on Yugi.
"Let's face it. I exist where and when I do, surrounded by the people I was so that the Pharaoh Atem could have a vessel that he could inhabit and save the past from utter destruction. That happened. We won. I helped, I did everything I was destined to do: to help Yami do everything HE was destined to do. And now what? What purpose do I serve now that Atem's story is complete? He got to pass into the afterlife in peace. You and Joey got married and are starting a family, Tristian and Serenity are doing the same. Your existences had somewhere else to move on, but I don't. I'm still taking care of my grandpa selling trading cards exactly how I was eight years ago when I graduated from high school. I ended up with nothing: I lost my best friend, I lost my dueling career, I…" here he finally choked back tears. "I didn't even get the girl." Tears came to his eyes. It pained the Wheelers to see him, the one person who radiated positivity, give into hopelessness. "And now," he said with his voice cracking. "History is about to repeat itself. I'm going to help, Kaiba is going to be a hero and then he'll move on with his company and I'll be alone. Again."
Joey clearly wanted to give some sort of comforting reply. His eyes darted around the room, fearful to look into Yugi's violet eyes and begin tearing up as well. "Yugi…"
"Listen," Tea cut him off. "I loved you as a dear friend, and I never intended to hurt you," she assured him.
He shrugged. "I know, and I don't hold it against you, or Joey. You never pretended there was anything between us without Yami there, even if it would have made me feel better. I am happy for you two, I really am, I just feel really lost."
"Just give it, time. You'll find your purpose. Maybe even through this." She was trying to sound positive, but she also understood the depth of his pain. He wanted friends and to connect socially for so long, having his friends fall away over the years must have been devastating. Yami, of course, being a literal soulmate ripped away.
"You might feel alone now, but that couldn't be further from the truth," Joey seized a box of tissues from an end table and stood to hand them to his friend. "Yug, you were an amazing friend before you solved dat puzzle. You're honest, hardworking, perseverant, fiercely loyal. You're kind and selfless, and also a bit of a strategist. We're still you're friends and that is never going to change."
His tender soul couldn't take it anymore. Yugi finally broke into sobs. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." he apologized. "It's so selfish of me to just unload on you like this." He pulled out a few tissues to wipe his tears.
The thought of sending him back red-eyed to face his boss was repugnant. "Why don't you spend the night here?" Tea offered. "We can eat breakfast together and I can take you to the airport. We can rent a movie, buy some beers, let you decompress."
Yugi considered the offer a few moments before replying. "Thank you, but I really should get back to the hotel. Technically, I am still on KaibaCorp time, and the CEO would be very upset if I wasted a hotel room for nothing.
"Then I'd better get you back now, so you can at last get a few hours of sleep," Joey said, ignoring Tea's silent objections that she'd rather he stay. He was already standing and helped pull his wife to her feet so they could give him a proper goodbye. Yugi hugged her carefully, thanking her for dinner, and congratulating her once more on her baby.
The drive back to the hotel was faster without a stop off at the police station and with the late-night traffic only slightly hectic.
"I'm pretty good friends with some of the fellas in organized crime. I'll aske for updates on this robbery and pass anything useful along." He promised as they drove.
"Thank you." Yugi replied, "Sincerely, for everything. Being alone at the game shop for so long made me lose touch with my friends both at home and abroad. I think when I get back I'll try to reconnect with our old friends: see where Duke and Bakura ended up. I'll make sure to schedule out some video chats with you and Tea too."
"Hey," the light just before the hotel had turned red, giving him a chance to look his friend in the eyes "We will always be here for you. Any time zone you're in. Any need you have. You helped everyone around you find their happy ending, I promise Tea and I will help you find yours."
The light turned green, and the car rolled forward, turning into the hotel parking lot. Joey put the car in park under the awning to let his friend off. Yugi leaned in and gave his best friend a tight hug. I'll miss you."
"It's ok. I'll see you around soon." Joey replied with confidence.
"How's that?" Yugi raised an eyebrow.
"You're invited to the baby shower."
Yugi smiled. "I'll be there."
It was close to midnight. A wave of fatigue hit the former duelist as he keyed himself into his room. Rather than report to Kaiba, who was without a doubt still working at this hour, he opted to just send a succinct text.
Pegasus robbed by Irish Mafia. Took dragon flute, tomes, and headdress. Coliseum still possibility. Tea is pregnant
Kaiba scowled back at his smartphone as he read the text.
Coliseum was still an enigma.
Other crime organizations could be involved, too.
They'd gotten their hands on artifacts Pegasus himself tried to conceal from the public.
And quite possibly the worst of all:
There was going to be another Wheeler.